Debra Black

Supercharge the Search for Cures: Medical Philanthropists Reinvent Giving to Get Results

LaTese Briggs, Debra Black, Cindy L. Citrone, Joyce Keller, Melissa Stevens, Rob Citron

A panel of leaders from the Melanoma Research Alliance, 33 Foundation, and Gilbert Family Foundation discussed a strategic sector shift from reactive check-writing to active venture philanthropy that leverages flexible capital to fill the translational research gap. These institutions demonstrated high-impact outcomes, such as funding all 11 FDA-approved melanoma therapies and developing a non-profit venture fund to accelerate breast cancer treatments, while also employing non-cash assets like sports partnerships to drive systemic organ donation reforms. By addressing structural barriers including the nonprofit consolidation of small entities and the medical device "valley of death," the experts advocated for patient-centric infrastructure investments and deep, data-driven engagement models to maximize scientific returns.